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[av_heading heading=’Love in the time of Bacunaua’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY PETER SOLIS NERY
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January 17, 2018
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XLIII. SERENADE
The thing about love is
we see the beloved in everythingâ
in a song, in a crowd,
on the face of the moon.
*
Onstage, a little shrimp, age four, sleepily carried a white satin-and-lace pillow that held a tiara of rubies and faux red shrimp shells.
He offered this to the record producer who was standing beside the congressman, late forties, salt-and-pepper hair, reeking with pomade and aftershave, dressed in barong Tagalog, expensive watch.
He held a scepter decorated with more rubies and faux red shrimp shells.
Sitting on her throne, the Festival Queen lowered her head as Mr. Tan crowned her with the tiara.
The congressman ceremoniously handed her the scepter.
All the while, the unrelenting blinding flashes of cameras for posterity snapped.
*
The voice of the female emcee was heard, And now, to serenade our lovely Festival Queen, the top prize winner of the Champion of the Festival Singing Contest, please give a warm welcome to Mr. Mateo Luces Feliciano.
Matt entered from the wings, began his song, was spotlighted as he serenaded both the Festival Queen, and the audience with âYouâre Still Youâ (lyrics by Linda Thompson, music by Ennio Morricone).
Matt sang beautifully with the soulfulness of the early Josh Groban,
Through the darkness
I can see your light
And you will always shine
And I can feel your heart in mine
*
He addressed the Festival Queen, who smiled demurely at him.
Your face Iâve memorized
I idolize just you
He sang to the crowd from the stage, almost addressing each face.
I look up to
Everything you are
In my eyes you do no wrong
Iâve loved you for so long
And after all is said and done
He waved to Dulce in the crowd.
Youâre still you
After all
Youâre still you
*
He turned his face to sing to the Festival Queen, but now, he saw Dulce as the Festival Queen, dressed in the resplendent white gown, adorned with rubies-laden tiara and scepter.
His singing became more impassioned, more heartfelt.
You walk past me
I can feel your pain
Time changes everything
One truth always stays the same
Youâre still you
After all
Youâre still you
*
Matt turned to the audience, then to the full moon above.
I look up to
Everything you are
Somehow, he saw the face of his grandmother smiling at him with approval.
In my eyes you do no wrong
And I believe in you
Although you never asked me to
I will remember you
And what life put you through
*
He returned to serenade Dulce, the Festival Queen.
And in this cruel and lonely world
I found one love
Youâre still you
After all
Youâre still you.
Dulce smiled. (To be continued)/PN
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